Sandals with adjustable, flexible and exchangeable ribbon upper

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are sandals with adjustable, flexible and exchangeable upper ribbon design to provide comfort and style.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein generally relates to sandals with an upper portion made of a piece of adjustable, flexible and exchangeable ribbon.

BACKGROUND

Existing sandals such as flip flops are limited to having a fixed upper in the form of straps. The fixed upper has a predetermined size and does provide comfort and accommodation to different types of feet, especially to those feet suffer from diseased conditions and in need of comfort and accommodation.

What is needed are better sandals that can provide comfort and accommodation to various types of feet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, disclosed herein is a sandal that comprises: a sole having a top surface, a bottom surface and a thickness therebetween, the sole comprising three or more attachment sites, at least one of the three or more attachment sites being a slot throughout the thickness of the sole; a top ribbon made of flexible fabric; and one removable retainer complimentarily received within the slot at one of the three or more attachment sites, the retainer comprising an opening through which the top ribbon can be threaded. When the retainer is received within the slot, the top ribbon is threaded through the opening of the removable retainer and fixed to the sole, and the top ribbon is further connected to the remaining attachment sites to form the upper portion of the sandal. When the retainer is removed from the slot, the top ribbon can be removed from the retainer and disconnected from the remaining attachment sites.

In some embodiments, the slot has an opening on the bottom surface of the sole that is larger than the opening on the top surface of the sole. In some embodiments, the removable container has a bottom dimension that is larger than the dimension of the remaining portion of the retainer to prevent the retainer from slipping through the opening on the top surface of the sole.

In some embodiments, each of the remaining attachment sites comprises an attachment motif having a loop-like structure through which the top ribbon is attached to the sole. In some embodiments, the attachment motif comprises a loop, a circle, or a ring. In some embodiments, the attachment motif is made of a soft polymer material, a soft textile material, or a smooth metal material. In some embodiments, each attachment motif is permanently fixed to the sole.

In some embodiments, each attachment motif is provided by a retainer complimentarily received within a slot at the corresponding attachment site.

In some embodiments, a sandal as disclosed herein comprises three attachment sites each being a slot within which a removable retainer is received. In some embodiments, a sandal as disclosed herein further comprising two attachment motifs.

In some embodiments, the middle portion of the top ribbon is threaded through the opening of the removable retainer and fixed to the sole when the retainer is placed with the slot. In some embodiments, the sandal is a flip-flop.

In one aspect, disclosed herein is a sandal that comprises: a sole having a top surface, a bottom surface and a thickness therebetween, the sole comprising three or more attachment sites at least partially above the top surface of the sole; and a top ribbon made of flexible fabric. Each attachment site comprises an attachment motif having a loop-like structure through which the top ribbon is removably attached to the sole.

In some embodiments, the attachment motif comprises a loop, a circle, or a ring. In some embodiments, the attachment motif is made of a soft polymer material, a soft textile material, or a smooth metal material.

In some embodiments, each attachment motif is permanently fixed to the sole. In some embodiments, each attachment motif is provided by a retainer complimentarily received within a slot at the corresponding attachment site.

In some embodiments, the sole comprises three attachment sites one located towards the front of the sole and two located towards the back of the sole. In some embodiments, the middle portion of the top ribbon is threaded through the attachment motif of the front attachment site. In some embodiments, the sandal is a flip-flop.

It will be understood that any embodiment disclosed herein, when applicable, can be applied in any aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Those of skill in the art will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary embodiments, showing sandals with flexible, adjustable, and exchangeable ribbon upper.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment, showing a sandal with flexible, adjustable, and exchangeable ribbon upper.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary embodiment, showing a front perspective view of a removable retainer.

FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary embodiment, showing a sectional view of a removable retainer.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary embodiment, showing a front view of a removable retainer.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary embodiment, showing a side view of a removable retainer.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary embodiment, showing a bottom view of a removable retainer.

FIG. 4D illustrates an exemplary embodiment, showing a perspective view of a removable retainer.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary process of assembling a sandal with flexible, adjustable, and exchangeable ribbon upper.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary pair of sandals with flexible, adjustable, and exchangeable ribbon upper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Disclosed herein are sandals with flexible, adjustable, and exchangeable ribbon upper.

As disclosed herein, the term “sandal” refers to a type of casual footwear and can be used interchangeably with terms “slipper,” “clog” and etc.

As disclosed herein, the term “slot,” “hole,” and “cavity” are used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 illustrates examples of sandals with flexible, adjustable, and exchangeable ribbon upper 100. A pair of sandals include a sole piece 10 and flexible ribbon piece 20 for forming the upper of the sandals. As depicted in the examples, sole 10 and flexible ribbon 20 are held together by attachment motifs 30 (e.g., 30-1, 30-2 and 30-3). Attachment motifs 30 are embedded in sole 10. In the examples depicted in FIG. 1, there are three attachment motifs: one is located at the front of the sole (e.g., 30-1) and two are located at the back of the sole (e.g., 30-2 and 30-3). Flexible ribbon pieces form the upper of the sandals. For example, a ribbon can be folded and attached to the front attachment motif 30-1, forming the toe piece of a flip-flop. The two ends of the ribbon are connected to two back attachment motifs (e.g., 30-2 and 30-3) and then wrapped around the heel and ankle to secure the sandal to a user's foot.

In some embodiments, an attachment motif is permanently fixed to sole 10. In some embodiments, an attachment motif can be fixed to and removed from sole 10.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a sandal in accordance with the present invention. The side view of a sandal 200 illustrates the positions of the attachment motifs on the sandal sole. Attachment motif 210 is located at the front of the sandal sole. Attachment motif 210 secures a folded piece of ribbon to the sold and provides the anchoring point of the sandal; e.g., the toe piece in a flip flop. Two additional attachment motifs 220 and 230 are positioned towards the end of the sandal on the sides.

When a user wears the sandal, a foot is placed between attachment motifs 210, 220, and 230. For example, the ribbon that is attached to attachment motif 210 and fixed to the sandal goes between a wearer's first toe (also called the big toe) and adjacent second toe. The two ends of the ribbon is threaded through attachment motifs 220 and 230 and wrapped around the wearer's heel and tied around the ankle to secure the sandal to the foot. The ribbon is made of flexible material. Length of the ribbon that connects 210 and 220 or 210 and 230 can be easily adjusted to accommodate the foot. This feature is helpful to people with swollen feet due to long term or temporary diseased conditions (including obesity). Advantageously, because the length of the ribbon that connects the attachment motifs is adjustable, the sandal will still fits even when the swollenness is reduced or goes away.

In some embodiments, attachment motifs 210, 220, and 230 are provided by removable retainers that are embedded in slots or openings in the sole. In some embodiments, only one of the attachment motifs is provided by a removable retainer that is embedded in a slot or opening in the sole. In some embodiments, two of the attachment motifs are permanently fixed to the sole.

In some embodiments, all attachment motifs are permanently fixed to the sole. In some embodiments, each attachment motif provides a loop-like structure for receiving and removing of the ribbon piece. Each attachment motif is accessible such that a person can easily attach, remove, exchange, or re-attach different type or style of ribbon pieces to the attachment motifs.

In some embodiments, one attachment motif is located at the front of the sole while two are located towards the back of the sole. In some embodiments, the attachment motif comprises a loop, a circle, or a ring. In some embodiments, the attachment motif is made of a soft polymer material, a soft textile material, or a smooth metal material. It is important that the attachment be soft and comfortable. In particular, for a flip-flop, the front attachment piece that goes between the big toe and the second toe should cause minimum or no discomfort. For example, the front attachment piece can be a loop like structure made of soft fabric. In some embodiments, the front attachment piece has a fabric style that is the same as the top ribbon. In some embodiments, the front attachment piece has a fabric style that is different from the top ribbon.

In some embodiments, the sole can have any suitable thickness. In some embodiments, the sole is contoured for enhanced comfort.

As disclosed herein, the attachment motif for fixing the folded ribbon to the sole (e.g., element 210) comprises a removable retainer. The removable retainer is received by a corresponding cavity or slot that is created in the sole. In some embodiments, the slot has a configuration that is complementary to the retainer. In some embodiments, the slot can be extended throughout the entire thickness of the sole. In some embodiments, the slot has a top opening on the top surface of the sole and a bottom opening on the bottom surface of the sole. The ribbon is threaded through the retainer and forms the upper of the sandal. There is a natural force pulling the retainer upward. Therefore, it is important that the removable retainer has a stopper mechanism to prevent it from being pulled through the top opening of the slot. For example, the retainer should be larger than the top opening of the slot.

In some embodiments, the retainer includes a structure for securing the ribbon. For example, the retainer has an internal channel through which the ribbon can be threaded. In some embodiments, the internal channel is connected to a slit opening which allows the ribbon to be slided into the channel.

When a user desires to use a different ribbon as the upper of the sandal, the user can remove the retainer from the sole and replace the existing ribbon with a different ribbon.

In some embodiments, the remaining attachment motifs each includes a loop-like structure (e.g., 220 and 230) that is permanently fixed to the sole. In some embodiments, the remaining attachment motifs each includes a removable retainer. In some embodiments, a user can replace an existing loop-like structure with a new structure.

In some embodiments, there are four or more attachment motifs. For example, instead of a single attachment motif for holding down the toe piece of a flip-flop, two attachment motifs can be positioned on the front of the sole. Two or more additional attachment motifs can be positioned at the back of the sole. A top ribbon can be threaded through one or both of the front attachment motifs and then the additional attachment motif and be secured to a wearer's foot.

By changing top ribbon and attachment structure, a user can effectively convert one pair of sandals into numerous pairs of sandals of different styles and comfort.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of a removable retainer 300. As depicted in FIG. 3A, a removable retainer has a top portion 310, a bottom portion 320, and a ledge-like region 330 between the top and bottom portions. In some embodiments, the size of top portion 310 gradually increases until near bottom portion 320, wherein the size of the retainer increases significantly to form ledge 330. Ledge 330 functions effectively as a stopper to prevent the retainer from sliding or being pulled upwards through the top opening of a slot.

An internal horizontal cavity 315 is positioned through the main body of the retainer and forms a channel-like opening. A ribbon can be threaded through horizontal cavity 315. In some embodiments, an additional slit 325 is created at the bottom of the removable retainer. As an alternative, a piece of ribbon can be slided through slit opening 325 into the larger horizontal cavity 315. In some embodiments, when retainers are used to secure attachment loops at the back of sole, the loops can be slided through slit opening 325 and pulled upward to be position above the top surface of the sole.

FIGS. 4A through 4D provide further views of an exemplar retainer 400, providing additional details of top portion 410, lower portion 420, ledge 430, internal horizontal cavity 415 and slit 425. For example, FIG. 4A depicts a retainer in front view illustrating the size and location of the horizontal cavity 415 that is connected to slit 425. FIG. 4B provides further details of horizontal cavity 415. For example, the internal walls of the cavity includes one or more protrusions that can prevent slipping of the ribbon. Such details are further illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D.

In some embodiments, the removable retainer is made of a plastic material through injection molding. For example, in some embodiments, the retainer is a plastic injection molded part that fits into the 3 holes in a flip flop sole. The part is a plastic cone shaped with a hole going longitudinally through the side, and a slit running concurrent to the hole and through the bottom of the part. In some embodiments, the retainer is threaded by fabric ribbon, and the retainer secures the ribbon to the sole of the sandal allowing it to be tied around the foot and ankle. The slit holds a small loop that also secures ribbon on 2 of the 3 Retainers.

In some embodiments, the is threaded by a 36″-45″ colorful fabric ribbon, and the retainer secures the ribbon to the sole of the sandal allowing it to be tied around the foot and ankle. The slit holds a small (approximately 0.5″ diameter) loop that secures ribbon to the retainer at the 2 rear holes of the flip flop sole.

FIG. 5 provides an exemplary process for assembling a sandal as disclosed herein. At step 510, a ribbon is threaded or pulled through the internal horizontal cavity until the retainer is positioned near the mid-point of the ribbon as shown in step 520.

At step 530, the ribbon is folded and pulled through a front slot opening on the sole until the retainer is received completely within the slot opening, as shown in step 540.

Two ends of the ribbon are pulled towards the end of the sole, where two back attachment loops are positioned (see steps 550 and 560). The photo at step 560 clearly shows the two loops on the sides and toward the back of the sole. At steps 570 and 580, the two ribbon ends are affixed to the two attachment loops one by one.

A user can position a foot between the front attachment site and the two additional attachment sites at the back by sliding the folded ribbon between the big toe and second toe. The user can then adjust, wrap and tie the ribbon around the heel and ankle to secure the sandal on the foot.

Disclosed herein are novel, more comfortable and adjustable sandals, which can accommodate people whose feet expand during the day, while being more stylish and comfortable for all who wear sandals.

The user can easily change the of the sandal by switching out the fabric ribbons. Users who suffer from conditions like diabetes which cause the foot to expand, can wear these sandals with comfort by simply adjusting the fit during the day.

The user has the option of loosening the ribbon if during the day, their feet swell and become uncomfortable, as is the case with people who have certain medical conditions.

The most unique feature is the comfort and flexibility of the footwear design. The retainer is a new unique part, invented specifically for this use. It is designed to work with standard flip flop soles pre punched with 3 holes as they are commonly manufactured. These flip flop soles are a commodity, as they are universally configured and mass manufactured. This invention is not limited to these pre-fabricated flip flops, and can work with wedge soles, and other soles specifically designed for the Sleeks footwear concept.

Another unique feature is the easy adjustability of the ribbon, giving the wearer the ability to loosen, (or tighten) the sandal as needed for comfort during the day. The simple interchangeability of the ribbon means that these sandals are customizable, and can be fashion coordinated easily by the user.

The invention is made by injection molding the retainers, sourcing or producing fabric ribbons, and sourcing flip flop soles and, or producing unique soles of various styles.

This design is easily adapted to different style soles, i.e., wedge, heeled, leather soles and other styles. Ribbon can be replaces with scarf fabric, and any variety of other fabrics and textiles.

Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications, variations, and equivalent embodiments are possible without departing the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that all examples in the present disclosure are provided as non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided to further illustrate embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples that follow represent approaches that have been found to function well in the practice of the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute examples of modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments that are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Example 1 Exemplary Sandals for Comfort and Fashion

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary pair of sandals created for a diabetic patient with swollen feet.

As illustrated, a pair footwear as disclosed herein is the assembly of 10 parts; 2 flip-flop style soles, 6 retainers, and 2 fabric ribbons. Each sole has 3 pre punched holes, one near the center-front, next to the position of the big toe, and 1 hole on either side of the ankle position, for a total of 3 holes. Each of these holes has a retainer pushed into it from the bottom of the sole, but due to the stepped configuration of the holes, and the tapered shape of the retainer, these retainers nest themselves flush to the bottom of the sole and do not poke through the thickness of the sole. The front retainer has the 36″ ribbon threaded through its hole and then threaded through the hole of the sole before the retainer (with ribbon) is pushed into place. The ribbon is now anchored onto the sole at its midpoint. Next, the other 2 retainers each receive a small (e.g., approximately 0.5″ diameter), loop that is slid through the slit at the base of the retainer, and is captured by the hole in the retainer. These 2 retainers are pushed into the 2 rear holes of the sole, and the loops protrude through the upper surface of the sole. Now the ends of the ribbon are threaded through these loops and are tied around the users ankle to secure the sandal to the foot. The foot is held in place because the ribbon captured by the front retainer comes up from the sole between the users big and second toe, then each half of the ribbon crosses over the upper surface of the foot before being threaded through the loops on the sole at either side of the ankle.

From there the ribbon wraps around the ankle, and is tied in front of the lower leg close to the foot. With the longer ribbon the user can wrap the ribbon around the ankle in a crisscross fashion a few times to give the footwear a different style appearance.

Additional decorative elements can be attached (e.g., the ribbon-matching flowers) are added to create more variation and styles.

While this invention is softer on the skin, and easily adjustable while it is being worn. The user can easily change the colors and patterns of the sandal to match or complement fashions by switching out the fabric ribbons. Users who suffer from conditions like diabetes which cause the foot to expand, can wear these sandals with comfort by simply adjusting the fit over the duration of the day.

The various methods and techniques described above provide a number of ways to carry out the invention. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all objectives or advantages described may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods can be performed in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objectives or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. A variety of advantageous and disadvantageous alternatives are mentioned herein. It is to be understood that some preferred embodiments specifically include one, another, or several advantageous features, while others specifically exclude one, another, or several disadvantageous features, while still others specifically mitigate a present disadvantageous feature by inclusion of one, another, or several advantageous features.

Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the applicability of various features from different embodiments. Similarly, the various elements, features and steps discussed above, as well as other known equivalents for each such element, feature or step, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to perform methods in accordance with principles described herein. Among the various elements, features, and steps some will be specifically included and others specifically excluded in diverse embodiments.

Although the invention has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and modifications and equivalents thereof.

Many variations and alternative elements have been disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. Still further variations and alternate elements will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

In some embodiments, the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar references used in the context of describing a particular embodiment of the invention (especially in the context of certain of the following claims) can be construed to cover both the singular and the plural. The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations on those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. It is contemplated that skilled artisans can employ such variations as appropriate, and the invention can be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, many embodiments of this invention include all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Furthermore, numerous references have been made to patents and printed publications throughout this specification. Each of the above cited references and printed publications are herein individually incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that can be employed can be within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the present invention can be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to that precisely as shown and described. 

We claim:
 1. A sandal, comprising: a sole having a top surface, a bottom surface and a thickness therebetween, the sole comprising three or more attachment sites, at least one of the three or more attachment sites being a slot throughout the thickness of the sole; a top ribbon made of flexible fabric; and one removable retainer complimentarily received within the slot at one of the three or more attachment sites, the retainer comprising an opening through which the top ribbon can be threaded; wherein: when the retainer is received within the slot, the top ribbon is threaded through the opening of the removable retainer and fixed to the sole, and the top ribbon is further connected to the remaining attachment sites to form the upper portion of the sandal; and when the retainer is removed from the slot, the top ribbon can be removed from the retainer and disconnected from the remaining attachment sites.
 2. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the slot has an opening on the bottom surface of the sole that is larger than the opening on the top surface of the sole.
 3. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the removable container has a bottom dimension that is larger than the dimension of the remaining portion of the retainer to prevent the retainer from slipping through the opening on the top surface of the sole.
 4. The sandal of claim 1, wherein each of the remaining attachment sites comprises an attachment motif having a loop-like structure through which the top ribbon is attached to the sole.
 5. The sandal of claim 4, wherein the attachment motif comprises a loop, a circle, or a ring.
 6. The sandal of claim 4, wherein the attachment motif is made of a soft polymer material, a soft textile material, or a smooth metal material.
 7. The sandal of claim 4, wherein each attachment motif is permanently fixed to the sole.
 8. The sandal of claim 4, wherein each attachment motif is provided by a retainer complimentarily received within a slot at the corresponding attachment site.
 9. The sandal of claim 1, comprising three attachment sites each being a slot within which a removable retainer is received.
 10. The sandal of claim 4, further comprising two attachment motifs.
 11. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the middle portion of the top ribbon is threaded through the opening of the removable retainer and fixed to the sole when the retainer is placed with the slot.
 12. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the sandal is a flip-flop.
 13. A sandal, comprising: a sole having a top surface, a bottom surface and a thickness therebetween, the sole comprising three or more attachment sites at least partially above the top surface of the sole; and a top ribbon made of flexible fabric; wherein each attachment site comprises an attachment motif having a loop-like structure through which the top ribbon is removably attached to the sole.
 14. The sandal of claim 13, wherein the attachment motif comprises a loop, a circle, or a ring.
 15. The sandal of claim 13, wherein the attachment motif is made of a soft polymer material, a soft textile material, or a smooth metal material.
 16. The sandal of claim 13, wherein each attachment motif is permanently fixed to the sole.
 17. The sandal of claim 13, wherein each attachment motif is provided by a retainer complimentarily received within a slot at the corresponding attachment site.
 18. The sandal of claim 13, wherein the sole comprises three attachment sites one located towards the front of the sole and two located towards the back of the sole.
 19. The sandal of claim 18, wherein the middle portion of the top ribbon is threaded through the attachment motif of the front attachment site.
 20. The sandal of claim 13, wherein the sandal is a flip-flop. 